14103: Time of du’aa’ when breaking fast

The fasting person will have his prayer answered when he breaks his fast, so when should he make du’aa’ – before, during or after breaking the fast? Are there any du’aa’s which were narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or that you can recommend for this time?

Praise be to
Allaah.

This question was put to Shaykh Muhammad
ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him), who said:

“Du’aa’ should be made before iftaar
(breaking the fast), at Maghrib, because this combines weakness and
humility, and because he is still fasting. All of these are means of
having one’s du’aa’ answered. After breaking the fast, one is
relaxed and happy, and may become negligent. But there is a hadeeth
from the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) which, if it is saheeh,
shows that the du’aa’ may be made after breaking the fast. It said:
‘Thirst has gone, the veins are moist, and the reward is assured, if
Allaah wills.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood; classed as hasan by al-Albaani
in Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawood, 2066). This can only mean after breaking
the fast. Similarly it was narrated that some of the Sahaabah said:
“ O Allaah, for You I have fasted and with Your provision I have broken
my fast.”

So you may pray to Allaah and say whatever
du’aa’ you think is suitable.